502 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



Catholic countries it is considered as fish, and is 

 allowed to be eaten on fast-days. As may be sup- 

 posed from the nature of its food, this bird does not 

 often make its appearance on inland waters : Yarrell, 

 however, says that one specimen has been taken on 

 a pond in the neighbouring county of Wilts, and 

 another near Farnham, in Hampshire. 



These birds are not known to breed in England, 

 but repair to more northern latitudes. The nest is 

 said to be made of grass and other vegetable matter 

 mixed, and lined with a quantity of down from the 

 bird's own body. 



The plumage of the male Common Scoter is a 

 uniform velvety black all over. The irides are dark 

 brown ; the beak is black, except a small space in 

 the centre of the upper mandible, which is bright 

 orange ; the legs, toes and webs are black : as in all 

 the diving Ducks, there is a sort of partial membrane 

 or web to the hind toe. There does not appear to 

 be much difference between the young males and 

 the females : all those shot by me in Devonshire 

 in October and November, except the adult males, 

 were nearly the same : the patch on the beak 

 was much lighter; the top of the head and nape 

 were dark brown ; chin, cheeks, sides and front of 

 the neck pale greyish brown ; all the upper parts 

 dark dusky brown, many of the feathers margined 

 with pale grey or white, some specimens much more 

 so than others ; breast and flanks dull brown, many 



